Rep. Barbara Hernandez (D-Aurora), left, highlighted a bill she’s sponsoring to ensure menstrual hygiene products are provided in all Illinois schools during a news conference last week.

Last week, lawmakers approved a host of new bills as they began to zero in on the end of this year’s legislative session. With the end in sight, the House approved nearly 90 bills, most of which were part of the chamber’s consent calendar — largely non-controversial bills that are unanimously supported —  while the Senate signed off on five measures.

 

Democrats on Friday released their long-awaited legislative redistricting map proposals, which they touted as a fair reflection of the state’s diversity while facing pointed criticism from Republicans and advocacy groups.

The majority party published the new maps on Friday evening, less than three months after lawmakers began the decennial redistricting process.

House Majority Leader Greg Harris said Thursday lawmakers are looking at using state revenue, rather than the money the state will receive from the American Rescue Plan, to repay money it borrowed last year.

In a rare joint statement, Gov. JB Pritzker, Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park), House Speaker Chris Welch (D-Hillside) and Comptroller Susana Mendoza on Thursday announced a plan to pay off the money the state borrowed from the federal government last year without relying on funds from the American Rescue Plan.

Illinois American Water government affairs director Sean Flynn encouraged a Senate committee on Thursday to approve a bill to create an assistance program for water bills.

A bill aimed at helping low-income residents pay their water bills cleared a key committee hurdle on Thursday, brightening its prospects as the General Assembly session speeds toward a close.

Ald. Harry Osterman (left) and neighbors listen to a water management representative describe the excavation process for replacing water lines. (Photo: Jonathan Ballew/Block Club Chicago)

A multiyear effort to require toxic lead service water lines to be replaced throughout Illinois is nearing the finish line.

The Senate Executive Committee on Wednesday approved HB 3739, a measure that would set timelines for lead service line replacements and create a state grant program to aid the process. The House approved the measure last month, meaning the Senate floor could be its last stop before heading to Gov. JB Pritzker’s desk.

Gov. Pritzker announced a multiyear plan to fix the state’s roads and bridges. Amtrak is set to resume full services. And House Republicans are unaware of Democrats’ latest ethics reform work.

 

Sen. Neil Anderson faced opposition Tuesday from witnesses including Richard Mikel and Katherine Nunes who unsuccessfully urged a Senate committee to reject a proposal that would legalize the sale of ground-based sparklers in Illinois.

A Senate committee on Tuesday failed to approve a Republican-sponsored bill that would expand Illinoisans’ access to so-called “novelty” fireworks despite widespread opposition from fire department officials.

Sen. Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights) defended an amended version of a bill sunsetting the use of “prone restraint” in Illinois schools.

A bill phasing out the use of face-down physical restraints in Illinois schools cleared the Senate Education Committee Tuesday despite emotional testimony from witnesses saying the measure wouldn't act fast enough.

 

Illinois Housing Development Authority executive director Kristin Faust (left) and Illinois Department of Human Services secretary Grace Hou joined Gov. JB Pritzker on Monday as he signed a bill will implement a framework for administering the state’s rental assistance programs.

SPRINGFIELD — Gov. JB Pritzker on Monday announced the launch of the latest round of federally-backed housing assistance while signing a measure that seeks to provide additional relief to renters.

Lawmakers largely focused last week on getting bills finalized in committees, with few measures receiving final approval on the House and Senate floor.

Among those bills that were approved during floor sessions were measures related to firearms and discrimination in schools.

The following is a roundup of the latest proposals approved in either chamber.